💧 What To Do When a Pipe Bursts at 2AM

Last updated: February 2025

You wake up to the sound of rushing water. You go downstairs. There's water spraying from the ceiling, pooling on the floor, soaking into the carpet.

It's 2AM. What do you do?

Here's the exact process. Not theory—this is what we walk people through on 50+ emergency callouts every winter.

Step 1: Turn Off the Water (IMMEDIATELY)

You have about 3-5 minutes before serious damage occurs.

Your stopcock location:

• Under the kitchen sink (70% of UK homes)
• In the cupboard under the stairs
• In the downstairs toilet/cloakroom
• Outside in a meter box (if you have a water meter)
• In the garage or utility room

Turn it CLOCKWISE to close. It should turn 90 degrees (quarter turn) or multiple full rotations depending on type.

Step 2: Turn Off Electricity (If Water Near Electrics)

If water is near sockets, switches, or electrics:

1. DO NOT touch electrics or switches if standing in water
2. Turn off power at the consumer unit/fuse box (if safe to reach)
3. If you can't safely reach it, GET OUT and call 999

Water and electricity kills. Every year someone dies trying to "just turn that light off". Don't be that person.

Step 3: Minimize Damage (Next 10 Minutes)

Water is off. Now contain the damage:

• Move stuff: Furniture, electronics, anything water will ruin
• Buckets/towels: Under leaks, absorb pooled water
• Open taps: Drain remaining water from pipes (opens at high points too—bathroom taps, shower)
• Photographs: Take photos NOW. Insurance assessor needs to see the damage before you clean up.

Step 4: Find the Burst (Where's It Coming From?)

Common burst pipe locations:

• Loft/attic: Cold weather, poor insulation, pipes freeze then burst when thawing
• External walls: Pipes in exterior walls freeze
• Under sinks: Compression fittings fail, especially if disturbed
• Behind radiators: Pinhole leaks from corrosion
• Ceiling (from bathroom above): Bath/shower tray leak, pipe joint failed

Can you see it? If yes, note the location (photo it). If not, don't start ripping up floors—let the plumber locate it with proper tools.

Step 5: Call Emergency Plumber (Now, Not Tomorrow)

Why call at 2AM and not "wait till morning"?

• Water damage gets worse every hour: Ceiling collapses, floors warp, mold starts in 24-48 hours
• Insurance expects "immediate mitigation": If you wait 8 hours and damage worsens, they might not pay for the extra damage
• You need water: No water = no toilet, no tea, no morning routine

What to tell the dispatcher:

1. "Burst pipe, water is off now"
2. Location of burst (if known): "Loft pipe burst over bedroom"
3. Damage level: "Ceiling is dripping, carpet soaked"
4. Your address and postcode (for engineer dispatch)
5. Your phone number (for engineer to call when en route)

What Happens Next (Emergency Plumber Process)

You call 0333 600 0990. Here's the timeline:

• 0-5 minutes: Dispatcher takes details, triages urgency, mobilizes engineer
• 5-60 minutes: Engineer en route (60 min average for emergency callouts)
• Engineer arrival: Assess damage, locate burst, quote repair cost
• Emergency repair: Pipe isolated or repaired temporarily (get your water back on)
• Permanent repair: Schedule follow-up if needed (e.g., ceiling needs opening up for full access)

You'll have water back within 2-3 hours of calling us. Not "back to normal"—that takes days—but water on, leak stopped, damage contained.

What About the Ceiling/Carpet/Damage?

Plumber fixes the pipe. Other trades fix the damage:

• Water damage restoration: Dry out, dehumidifiers (£200-600)
• Ceiling repair/replaster: Plasterer (£150-400 for small area)
• Flooring replacement: Carpet/laminate (£300-1,500 depending on size)
• Redecoration: Painter (£200-500)

Total cost including all repairs: £1,500-£4,000 for typical burst pipe + consequential damage.

Good news: Buildings insurance covers this. Excess is usually £250-500. Rest is covered.

Insurance: What to Do Monday Morning

Call your buildings insurance (not contents—that's separate):

1. Give claim reference
2. Email photos you took at 2AM
3. Send plumber invoice/quote
4. They'll send a loss adjuster (sometimes—not always)
5. Approve repairs (or appoint their own contractor)

What insurance covers:

• Emergency plumber callout and repair
• Water damage restoration
• Ceiling/wall/floor repairs
• Redecoration
• Damaged furniture/carpets (if contents insurance too)
• Alternative accommodation (if house uninhabitable)

What insurance doesn't cover:

• Gradual leaks (not "sudden and unexpected")
• Poor maintenance (e.g., pipe was visibly corroded for months)
• Frost damage if house was unoccupied and unheated (most policies exclude this)

How to Prevent This (Next Winter)

Pipe insulation is £20 and takes 20 minutes:

• Loft pipes: Foam pipe insulation (£15-30 from B&Q)
• External walls: Insulate behind or box in with insulation
• During freezing weather: Leave heating on low (15°C minimum), open loft hatch slightly (lets warm air up), drip taps overnight (keeps water moving)

If going away in winter:

• Turn off water at stopcock
• Drain system (open all taps, flush toilets)
• OR leave heating on 15°C minimum with someone checking daily

What NOT To Do (Common Mistakes)

❌ Don't try soldering at 2AM: You'll make it worse. Pipes need to be dry to solder properly. Temporary compression repair, yes. DIY soldering in a flood? No.

❌ Don't use a blowtorch to thaw frozen pipes: Causes more bursts. Use hot water bottles, hairdryer, or call a plumber.

❌ Don't assume "it's just a drip": Pinhole leaks become gushers. Get it checked same day.

❌ Don't clean up before photographing: Insurance wants proof of damage. Clean up AFTER photos.

❌ Don't accept "time and materials" emergency pricing: Insist on fixed quote before work starts. "Time and materials" at 2AM = £400 becomes £1,200.

The 2AM Action Plan (Checklist)

1. ☐ Turn off water at stopcock (under kitchen sink usually)
2. ☐ Turn off electricity if water near electrics (fuse box)
3. ☐ Contain damage (buckets, towels, move stuff)
4. ☐ Open taps to drain remaining water from pipes
5. ☐ Photograph everything (damage, burst location, affected items)
6. ☐ Call emergency plumber (0333 600 0990—we answer 24/7)
7. ☐ Get quote before repair starts (fixed price, not hourly)
8. ☐ Keep receipts for insurance
9. ☐ Call buildings insurance Monday morning (or sooner if major damage)

Need Help Right Now?

National Plumbing Dispatch: 0333 600 0990

Real 24/7 emergency line. Not an answering service. Trained dispatch. 60-minute response for genuine emergencies. Fixed pricing before we start.

We wrote this guide because we get the same panicked calls every winter night. Now you know what we know. But if it happens to you? Just call. We'll walk you through it and get someone to you within the hour.

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